1. Starts
Establish a start routine and be consistent in training and competition
Medium/Low Drive Dogs:
Consistent routine builds Anticipation = Drive
High Drive Dogs:
Consistent routine builds Control = Calmer

2. Starts Before you get to your start: Prepare yourself Toilet your dog
Dogs must be trained NOT to pee on the track
Check your equipment – untangle your lead!

3. Starts
The Harness:
If necessary, mark your harness so you know how it goes on
Practise putting it on so you are not fumbling at the start
Make sure your harness is the correct fit and does not restrict the dog’s breathing when working the track

4. Starts At the start flag:
Your body language should be neutral – do not face in the direction of the track
Allow the dog to establish the direction of the track
When the dog commits - you follow
Take the start article with you

5. Training for Starts Practise ‘Round the Clock’ starts
Drop the start article at least arms distance from the flag
Drop it in different locations around the flag
Start on a hill – going up, going down, going parallel
Start without a start article – this can happen in a trial

6. Possible directions of track Possible directions of approach
Possible directions of track V
Possible directions of approach
Could be approach or direction of track
Possible directions of approach determined by Judge

7. ROUND THE CLOCK STARTS Direction of track
ROUND THE CLOCK STARTS
Direction of track
Approach the start flag from different directions – allow the dog to establish the direction of the track